General Track Safety

Question 1

Defective overhead line equipment

What must you do if you notice damage to the overhead power lines or the power line has collapsed

Answer 1

Defective overhead line equipment

If necessary, all affected lines must be protected. You must not go closer than 5 metres (5 yards). Do not attempt to leave the cab unless the signaller has told you the line equipment has been made safe to approach.

Question 2

Use of detonators

If you have placed detonators and you expect a train to pass over them, you must?

Answer 2

Use of detonators

• Stand at least 30 metres (approximately 30 yards) away from the detonators
• Tell anyone else standing close by to also keep this distance away
• As the train passes over them, turn away.

Question 3

Reporting an accident

You must report an accident as quickly as possible to?

Answer 3

Reporting an accident

• The signaller or Operations Control.

Question 4

Reporting an accident

When reporting an accident, you must first say?

Answer 4

Reporting an accident

• ‘This is an emergency call’
• ‘This is an Urgent call’

Question 5

Emergency Call

In an emergancy, what must you state?

Answer 5

Emergency Call

• ‘This is an emergency call’
• Your name
• Your job title
• Your employer
• Where you are speaking from
• Your telephone or radio call number
• Exact location and details of the accident
• Line which are definitely blocked
• Those lines you think could be blocked

You must also say which emergency services are needed.

Question 6

Dangerous Goods

If there are dangerous goods on a train, you must first say?

Answer 6

Dangerous Goods

• ‘This is a rail dangerous goods emergency’

Question 7

Dangerous Goods

What does this sign mean?

Answer 7

Dangerous Goods

It is a Hazard Warning Panel. It shows the United Nations number.

Question 8

Dangerous goods

What things must you do in a Rail Dangerous Good Emergency?

Answer 8

Dangerous Goods

• Keep well clear
• Keep the wind behind you
• Avoid low-lying places where gas may gather
• Keep unauthorised people well clear
• Try to put out any fire, without putting yourself or anyone else at risk
• Keep naked lights and lamps well clear
• Not smoke, use matches or pocket lighters
• Not use a mobile phone near any vehicle carrying flammable loads.

Question 9

Communications

When communicating during an emergency you must never say?

Answer 9

Communications

Never use the words ‘NOT CLEAR’ to describe a line that is obstructed, always use ‘LINE BLOCKED’. Get the person to repeat your message back to you.

Question 10

On the operational railway

What is The Lineside?

Answer 10

On the operational railway

You are on or near the lineside if you are:

• Between the boundary fence and the point that is called On Or Near The Line and in view of the driver of any approaching train or movement.

You are not on the Lineside if you are on a station platform.

Question 11

On the operational railway

What is On or near the line?

Answer 11

On the operational railway

• You are on or near the line if you are on the line itself or within 3 meters or 10 feet of the nearest rail of any line.
• On a station platform and are carrying out engineering or technical work within 1.25 metres (4 feet) of the platform edge

You are not on or near the line if you are on the other side of a permanent fence or structure, even if it is less than 3 metres from the nearest rail.

Question 12

On the operational railway

What is a Position of Safety?

Answer 12

On the operational railway

You are in a position of safety where you (including anything you are wearing or carrying) have a

• Minimum distance of 1.25 Meters or 4 Feet on a line 100 MPH or less.

Question 13

Warning signs

What is this sign and what does it mean?

Answer 13

Warning signs

• Limited Clearance Sign.

There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure. You must not enter or stand at that location when a train is approaching.

Question 14

Warning signs

What is this sign and what does it mean?

Answer 14

Warning signs

No refuges warning sign.

There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure. However, there are positions of safety, or refuges, on the opposite side of the railway line.

Question 15

Warning signs

What is this sign and what does it mean?

Answer 15

Warning signs

Prohibition sign.

You must not pass beyond this sign while trains are running. You will not be able to reach a position of safety. If you are carrying out emergency protection, you must take extreme care.

Question 16

Communications

In an emergency you must tell the ECO?

Answer 16

Communications

• ‘This is an emergency call’
• The reason why you want the electricity to be switched off
• Whether any person is in danger from live OLE
• Whether the emergency services are waiting to give assistance.

Question 17

Rescuing Someone from the conductor rail

What must you be aware of when rescuing a person after an emergency switch-off has been taken?

Answer 17

Rescuing Someone from the conductor rail

You must make sure:

• Your hands are covered with something dry which will not conduct electricity.

This is because a residual voltage may be present.

• Stand on dry insulatingmaterial e.g Wood, Clothing or a pile of papers

Question 18

Operational railway

What is the Cess?

Answer 18

Operational railway

• The space alongside the railway line

Question 19

Other Definitions - Refuge

What is the definition of a refuge?

Answer 19

Other Definitions - Refuge

A refuge is an area where it is safe to stand when a train passes. A refuge might be provided:-

• In a Wall of a Tunnel, Bridge or other structure
• In a Bridge Parapet
• In the Side of a Cutting
• On a specially constructed platform which has been built out from the track over the slope of embankment.

Question 20

Going on or Near The Line or LineSide

What things must you ensure you have or do when you are either on or near the line or lineside?

Answer 20

Going on or Near The Line or LineSide

If your duties require you to go on or ‘Near The Line’ or on the ‘Lineside’, you must:

• Where clean high visibility clothing of an approved type in the correct way
• Obey any warning indications (e.g. lights or bells) and notices.
• Look and listen for approaching trains or movements.
• Raise one arm above your head to acknowledge the audible warning from an approaching train.
• You have been passed as competent in PTS.
• You are using an authorised walking route.
• You are under the direct supervision of a COSS who is giving you formal training in PTS and you have received a brief about the safety arrangements.

Question 21

Approved High Visibility Clothing

Discribe an approved high visability tabard and how it must be worn?

Answer 21

Approved High Visibility Clothing

Approved high visibility clothing must:

• Have reflective stripes.
• Have POP studs on shoulders and under arms to pull apart in an emergency.
• Be Orange in colour.
• Be done up at all times.
• Be clean.

Question 22

On or near the line in an emergency situation

Are you able to go on or near the line in a Emergancy situation without being quailifed in PTS?

Answer 22

On or near the line in an emergency situation

If it is safe for you to do so, you can go on or near the line to prevent death or injury without being qualified in PTS.

Question 23

Walking on or near the line

Before you walk on or near the line, you must find out?

Answer 23

Walking on or near the line

• The approved points of access to the site.
• The speed at which trains are permitted to travel on each line.
• The direction/s from which trains are signalled to approach on each line.
• The locations of any area where access is prohibited whilst trains are running.
• Any other particular hazards such as limited sighting conditions of approaching trains, such as curves, bridges or other structures.
• Limited clearance.
• Poor underfoot conditions.

Question 24

Safety precautions walking on or near the line

How do you ensure your safety when walking on or near the line?

Answer 24

Safety precautions walking on or near the line

When you are walking on or near the line, you must:

• Wear clean high visibility clothing of an approved type in the correct way
• Walk facing the direction from which trains are signalled wherever possible.
• Take a hand lamp with you during darkness & when you are walkin ina tunnel.

Question 25

Safety precautions Crossing the Line

How would you cross the line?

Answer 25

Safety precautions Crossing the Line

​If you cross the line:

• Do not step on, but step over, rails & sleepers (balast to ballast).
• Do not step between points.
• Cross at right angles.

Question 26

Watching & listening for trains

How often do you need to look up for an approaching train.

Answer 26

Watching & listening for trains

Look up frequently (approximately every 5 seconds) to ensure you have sufficient warning of the approach of trains to enable you to reach a position of safety at least 10 seconds before a train arrives.

Question 27

When a train approaches

What must you do if you cannot reach a position of safety?

Answer 27

When a train approaches

If a train/s approach you and you are not able to reach a position of safety before the train/trains arrive, you must lie face down in the Six-Foot or in the Cess at a place that is not obstructed. you must make sure you gather any loose garements under you.

You MUST NOT lie down in the Four Foot

Question 28

Stopping a train in an emergency

What following hazards might endanger approaching trains?

Answer 28

Stopping a train in an emergency

The following hazards might endanger following trains:

• A track defect
• Fire
• An obstruction
• Flooding
• Any light which is out on an emergancy indicator
• A cow, bull or other large animal within the boundary fence (even if it is not an immediate danger to trains)
• Any other animal on or near the line.

If you see any of the following hazards you must immediately tell the signaller

Question 29

Danger to trains

You must whenever you can check a moving train for anything that looks unsafe such as?

Answer 29

Danger to trains

• A door on a train open or not properly secured
• A load on a freight train not properly secured
• A hot axle box
• A vehicle on fire
• The tail lamp(s) unlit or missing
• The headlight not illuminated
• The driver sounding the TRAIN IN DISTRESS signal (which is a continuous series of long blasts on the horn)
• A red handsignal being displayed by the driver or guard
• The hazard warning indications (Flashing headlights)

If you see any of the above on a moving train or anything else you know to be unsafe or dangerous you must immediately tell the signaller.

Question 30

Use of detonators

Return any detonators to your issuing point that?

Answer 30

Use of detonators

• Any more than 5 years old
• Any showing signs of rust, damage or decay

Question 31

Damaged rail

List 5 occasion that you must report a damaged rail to the Signaller or ECO?

Answer 31

Damaged rail

• Damaged to cables or connected equipment
• Damage to conductor rail
• Burning
• Flashovers with electrical equipment
• Burning or smoking or excessive flashing from the conductor rail or cables
• Broken conductor rail
• Broken or defective insulator
• Debris in contact with the conductor rail
• Flood water above sleeper level
• Heavy snow
• Ice forming on the conductor rail

Question 32

Electrical Control Rooms

Name South West Rail ECO’s

Answer 32

Electrical Control Rooms

• Raynes Park 178
• Eastleigh 173
• Brighton 171